Hello all! Here's the latest update, beta'd and ready to be read! I hope you all enjoy as usual. :)

He awoke the next morning to Kazahana brushing her hair. She looked so tranquil doing so, and it was the first time he ever saw so much of her face and neck. She was slender, almost delicate, and her eyebrows were full, giving her a youthful appearance. Her long hair, looking so silky, reminded him vaguely of Azura, the woman who seemed to disappear like the dew in the morning sun. Kazahana's was not quite that long, but long enough to cover her back and face. She had side-swept bangs that she was currently placing back in her face.

"Please don't," he uttered, and she jumped at hearing his voice. Immediately she put her hair back in order, terribly shy that Leo had seen her in such a private moment.

"I didn't mean anything by that. You just have such a pretty face. Why hide it?"

"Um…Pr-prince Leo… I'm not sure it's appropriate for you to say such things." She fidgeted, wringing her hands.

"Why? It's merely an observation, nothing more," he covered for himself. He clenched his fists in anger at himself. How dare he admit to something so…frivolous, especially at this time when such things weren't conducive to their journey. He wouldn't let his feelings get the better of him.

"My apologies," he finally admitted. "It was inappropriate of me."

"It's okay… You've just woken up." She giggled. "My turn! You have cute bedhead." He immediately, upon those words, righted himself, fixing his hair.

He walked towards her and sat down. "Did you sleep well?" He asked.

"Well… Sleeping on a stone floor is hardly comfortable…" She whispered. "I could think of better places to sleep…" She caught herself. "Oh my… That was so selfish of me to say."

"Hardly. The sentiment is shared. I haven't slept in such a location since the war." He missed his bed at home. "We'll have to put up with the uncomfortable sleeping arrangements for a while though. The trek to the fancy estate will be a long one, but very worth it."

She smiled. "I'm glad to hear that, though I am not looking forward to the trip itself." She looked away, thoughtful. "What's the Nohrian castle like?"

"It's large, and partially underground," he told her. "The beds are large and comfortable."

"Don't make me covet them," she joked. Hearing her speak so flippantly rather than being her shy self felt like a small victory. Soon, she'd open up to him more, and that was the only way to fish out these lies. And then, once he knew her true self, they could finally grow closer.

He stayed silent a moment, looking at her and wondering if he should say something. "I suppose I can go and gather supplies. I'd like for you to rest more."

"Oh no, I couldn't b-be so useless…" She stuttered. "Please, allow me to h-help."

He refused her request, telling her it would be more conducive for her to practice her koto. She insisted though.

"I can ensure that we get proper healing supplies, since I'm a healer and all…" she uttered quietly. "If the trek is as long as you say, then we may need elixirs and stronger festals… I mean staves!" She blushed.

"Festals? Aren't those Hoshidan?" Of course they were. He knew that very well since his time in the war. They managed to gather some off of…dead bodies.

"They are." She wouldn't make eye contact.

"I understand you're Hoshidan and all, and would understand that part of your culture, but in the war, what with you staying in Nestra, you'd more than likely use staves. Why would you say festals?"

She took a breath. "Sometimes…when we defeated Hoshidans, if they were to come to Nestra, we'd…take them off their dead bodies."

Oh. Much like what they did during their own time in the war. That would make sense.

"I see. I'm sorry for doubting you." No he wasn't. He only became more suspicious.

"It's o-okay…" She sighed. "Let's go get our supplies and just go. I-I want to l-leave."

He saw her discomfort and said nothing. There was nothing he could do and he didn't want to make things in their acquaintanceship worse. So he did as she requested, and they gathered supplies off the Nohrian soldiers there. There were a few female soldiers, and they provided whatever female supplies Kazahana needed.

When they were done gathering their supplies, they said their farewells and the Nohrian soldiers wished them luck. Leo thanked them and Kazahana bowed. The mounted their steeds and headed off.

The trip to the fancy estate in the mountains was mostly silent.

Leo was at a loss for conversation. Things only became more awkward with each new question he asked. He wasn't quite sure what to say at this point without an accusatory tone. Kazahana herself was too shy to initiate conversation, and the only things said between them were any observations of conflict nearby. Mostly from renegade Faceless, but there were a few terrorizing beasts that wanted nothing more than a royal snack. Leo dealt with them accordingly. It provided them with extra meat and even pelts if they were to need them for the brisk Nohrian weather, but Kazahana begged him to not skin the fallen animals. It made her stomach churn, but he did it anyway, telling her to avert her eyes and focus on cooking the meat they found, or to practice her koto or some other mundane task to distract her. He didn't mean to sound rude or hurtful, but he knew those tasks would take the awful things he had to do off her mind and her comfort was something he found was growing to be important to him.

When they were what Leo assumed halfway through their trek to the estate, he commented on making her uncomfortable. She hadn't spoken to him for two days straight, sickened by the animal pelts he fashioned into cloaks.

"I don't quite understand why you're sickened by this. We'll need them to survive." So it wasn't an apology. He couldn't find it in himself to do so.

"But it's nearly summer. Surely the weather can't be as cold as you think? We're not heading to that Ice Tribe village you've wanted to avoid." She was strong in her statement and he could tell it was due to her ire with him.

"You know very little of Nohr then, Kazahana. You might not have travelled much, but you can't be so ignorant as to not know the climate and geography of this country itself," he spat.

She didn't respond.

He sighed. "I know you're hiding something. Let me be blunt in saying I've caught you in a few lies. You said you trained as a koto player all your life but then say you trained after your parents died. Maybe that's a small slip up, but you slipped up nonetheless. You say you're born a Nestrian, yet you seem to know little of your place of birth, your country, and you make comments on Hoshido that only a Hoshidan would know. Yet, you have no idea of what happened to Hoshido after the war, as if you forcefully ignored it. I've asked you before, and I'll ask you again: what is it that you're hiding?" The trip was making him tired and impatient and he didn't like knowing he was right without bragging about being so. Kazahana would come clean even if he had to force the truth out of her.

She started crying. "P-please, Prince Leo… J-just…leave me alone!" She got up to scamper away, but he was faster. He gripped her arm roughly and turned her to him. He saw the fright in her eyes.

"Living a life of deceit will only destroy you later when you've been caught. Come out with it already!"

She sniffled. "I…can't."

"And why not?" He demanded.

It was almost like she stopped breathing. He saw the conflict in her eyes and how it seemed her answer would torment her. "The truth is something I must put behind me. My past haunts me every day."

"What? The war? How badly could it have affected you? Nestra saw very little conflict aside from the mess with the songstresses. And that wasn't even that bad."

"The deaths and disappearances of good friends is awful, Prince Leo. Surely you've lost people you've loved due to the war," she said darkly. Her tone made him shiver.

"They didn't die though…"

"You may not have killed any, Prince Leo, but I know that your berserker friend slaughtered his fair share." She turned to go. "The war was terrible and I'd rather forget it. M-maybe I'm lying… M-maybe you caught me… But please know that I will not relive it any longer. I m-must forge ahead." She left him with those provoking thoughts.

It was here that he realized he lost her. There was no way… He didn't want to think of it.

He realized he was being a jackass.

Dusk turned to night and Kazahana still hadn't returned. It worried Leo, as the girl was timid and one could never know who or what was lurking in the woods. They were approaching mountainous terrain and he knew that the Wolfskin Tribe still thrived nearby. They weren't always a friendly sort and a cute girl like Kazahana would be seen as a delicious treat.

He decided that enough time had passed for her to get over the little spat they had and he went searching for her. It wasn't very long before he heard voices, namely Kazahana's.

"Please, leave me alone," he heard her say firmly. "I…I'm just…"

"Lost?" asked a familiar voice. "I'm not going to hurt you, girly. I'm just a friendly face."

"You're a wolf."

"And you're a Hoshidan."

He heard her gasp. "I-I was b-born in Nestra…"

"So? You're still a little lost lamb that needs this big bad wolf's help." Leo heard a chuckle.

"I don't want your help." Kazahana must have taken a step back because Leo heard a twig snap.

Leo emerged from the safety of the woods. "The girl is mine, Keaton. Leave her be."

"Aww, Prince Leo! Long time no see!"

"I see you're back to leading your tribe. How have you fared since the war?" Leo asked, strangely friendly.

Keaton shrugged and Leo noticed how he was trying to hide his wagging tail. So Keaton was pleased to see a familiar face. It made Leo chuckle.

"Oh, you know, same ol' same ol'. Just trying to help passersby."

"You've grown friendlier then," Leo observed. "But, if I remember correctly, your sense of direction is the worst."

Keaton frowned. "Say what you want, but I know this neck of the woods. I was just trying to help your girlfriend here."

Leo shook his head. "She is merely an acquaintance, a future court musician to the kingdom of Nohr. That is all," Leo said coldly. He took a glance at Kazahana and saw that she stiffened. Was she insulted by his sudden indifference? Probably.

"Ah, I see. Anyway, since I see you're here with her, I guess you don't need my help." Leo saw Keaton's tail sag. "Guess I'll be on my way."

"You needn't take your leave yet, Keaton. Perhaps you'd like to tell any sort of tales you have around a campfire. It's certainly nice to see a friendly face."

Keaton's face lit up, though he tried to hide it. "That would be great… I guess." He tried to practice indifference still, but Leo could see how it made him happy to be included in the pair's activities.

"Then come. Let's share a meal and tell stories." Keaton followed while Kazahana dragged behind.

Her being out of earshot, Keaton whispered to Leo. "So is she really just an acquaintance?"

"Of course. I have no time for silly trivialities such as courtship," Leo answered. He checked to see if she was listening but she seemed unaware.

"Man, you're as cold as ever. I mean, I guess you're a nice guy, but surely you're lonely," Keaton observed. Leo didn't indicate that Keaton was correct.

"Well, regardless of my feelings, it is my duty to escort her safely back to Nohr. There was a rebellion you see."

"Word travels fast. I like Nestra, but on my way there one day I heard it was in ruins so I went back to Gurou."

"And you didn't get lost?" Leo said, amused.

"Hey, leave me alone!" Keaton said a little too loudly. "I'm just fine when it comes to going home."

"How long did it take you? Three days?"

"…a week." Keaton admitted.

Leo laughed heartily at that. He decided to change the subject. "It'll take another few weeks before Kazahana and I make it back to the castle."

"That's a long time. Are you low on supplies?" Keaton asked, concerned.

"We're fine for now," Leo responded. "It shouldn't be much longer before we reach this nobleman's estate."

"Let me escort you all the way there. There have been some weird goings-on around the forest and I'd hate to leave a friend in need."

"How chivalrous. Thank you, Keaton." And Leo meant it. He'd hate to have to see Kazahana fight again, despite still being irritated with her.

"Yeah, no problem."

They arrived to the campsite and everything was untouched. Their stock of supplies was fine and the horse and pegasus were calm.

The trio sat around the fire once Leo ignited it with a small Ember tome. "So what has been going on around these woods, Keaton?"

"Bandit problems really. Nothing my tribe can't handle, but I'm guessing there is still some issues with the war being over. We questioned one guy and he said something like 'long live Nohr' before I killed him. There have also been poachers, but that's always been a thing. We're good at hiding and fighting when need be, so no harm has come to my people really." Keaton looked nonchalant, but Leo caught the apprehension in his voice.

"It seems the royal family will have to be involved. I'd hate for the Wolfskin Tribe to have to face such threats. I'll be sure to send Camilla down. She'll handle it perfectly."

In the fire's light, Leo saw Keaton blush. "You sure you want to send her? I mean, she is a woman after all…" He looked away.

Leo chuckled. "If I recall, she warned you to take that statement back in ten seconds."

"I-I mean…! Camilla is a gifted warrior and I'd hate to have to face her!" Much better.

Leo looked at Keaton slyly. "Camilla once told me she suspected you had a crush on her."

"What…? NO! I would never…!" But Keaton couldn't make eye contact. "Okay, maybe a little. She's just so beautiful!"

"She is. She's also a force to be reckoned with." Leo affirmed.

"Please tell me she isn't married." Keaton begged. "I…I wanted to visit, but I…"

"Afraid of getting lost? Or afraid of her rejection?"

"Both…" Keaton's ears sagged in dejection. "I don't want to say I want to court her, but…"

"You want to court her," Leo finished. "Well, she hasn't married yet, and she rejects most advances. She's never mentioned to me any interest in any men, so perhaps there is a chance. You two did fight splendidly together."

Keaton's tail began wagging again. "Well, that might be cool and all… I mean, I am a great fighter, and so is she."

Leo shrugged. "It's up to you. If you'd like to join us, then you are more than welcome to."

"I still have to take care of this bandit problem, but I'll visit soon. You can count on it." Yes, if he didn't get lost first.

"Splendid. You'll be most welcome. Plus, you'll get to see dear Kazahana play. She is most talented." He couldn't ignore his other companion. She was right there after all, quiet as usual, cooking some of the meat he had hunted earlier.

When the food was finished they ate in silence, with Kazahana delicately picking at the meat and Leo eating primly, but Keaton scarfed his down like the beast he was. Leo didn't hold it against him, though. Call it a cultural difference.

Sleep was in order after their meal, and Kazahana dutifully laid out Leo's and her blankets. She didn't have to, and Leo felt like it wasn't her responsibility to lay out his things, but he didn't comment on it. He was used to being spoiled. Keaton said he'd keep watch.

"I'm really active at night, so staying up late doesn't bother me," he explained. Leo and Kazahana thanked him.

As they settled into their makeshift beds, Leo pondered on Kazahana's quiet demeanor. He supposed she was giving him the petty silent treatment, but he couldn't help but be a little hurt. Then again, he did just admit he knew she was lying and prodded her into running away. He'd be resentful too. He was the petty younger brother after all, loathe as he was to admit it.

He stared at the night sky, admiring the stars and how they formed constellations that could tell stories. He didn't remember them clearly, but he decided that when he returned home he would study them again. He must keep his mind sharp after all.

It was here that he finally fell asleep, dreamlessly. His mind was empty of whatever he was observing and everything he had felt. Tomorrow was another day, and he'd address that properly.